[Pulmonary mycobacteriosis--diagnostic problem and prevalence in Poland (a retrospective study)]

The diagnosis of pulmonary mycobacteriosis was verified in 267 patients in Poland, classified in the years 1991-1995 to group VI M. Among 267 patients, 213 were men in age 28-83 years (median 43 years) and 54 women in age 24-81 years (median 50 years). The verification of the diagnosis was based on the authors own criteria of pulmonary mycobacteriosis and colonisation. These criteria included at least two positive sputum cultures and presence or absence of the respiratory tract inflammation. Pulmonary mycobacteriosis was recognised in 199 patients (168 men and 31 women). Colonisation was diagnosed in 41 patients (23 men and 18 women). Non-tuberculous mycobacteria most often responsible for pulmonary mycobacteriosis were identified as M. kansasii, M. avium--intracellulare and M. xenopi. Majority of patients with pulmonary mycobacteriosis or with colonisation had pulmonary lesions caused by tuberculosis in the past or suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In 63 cases, data concerning previous diseases of the respiratory tract were not available.